Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device has a central elastic portion and a pair of cuff portions. The central elastic portion has an elastic band of a predetermined tension. Each of the cuff portions is removably attached to one end of the central elastic portion, and each of the cuff portions includes a backing strip having two Velcro portions. The Velcro attachment allows the cuffportions to be securely and removably attached to a portion of the user&#39;s body, such as the user&#39;s ankles. A variety of central elastic portions may be provided with bands having different lengths and elasticities, so that the user may select the band desired for a particular workout, and easily attach it to the cuff portions. The different bands are preferably color coded so that they may be easily distinguished and selected by the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to an exercise device, and more particularly to a device for attachment to the user's legs for performing several exercises.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Various devices have been conceived for providing resistance in performing different physical exercises. Many of the devices are extremely complex and expensive. Others are relatively inexpensive and fairly simple in their construction and concept.

[0005] Among the simple devices are a number of devices comprising two loops to fit around the user's ankles and an elastic cord between the two loops. As the loops are moved apart, such as by performing an exercise moving the legs in a desired direction to work particular muscle groups, the elastic cord offers resistance to this movement, enhancing the exercise. Examples of such devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,224,103, issued to Nilson, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,874, issued to Sleichter et al. Other similar devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,580, issued to Paris; U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,803, issued to Zemitis; U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,682, issued to Myers; U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,777, issued to Myers; U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,487, issued to Wallner; U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,300, issued to Cicali et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,149, issued to Grimaldi.

[0006] The capability of performing various exercises with various resistances is relatively limited with these devices. None of these devices provide the capability of easily modifying the resistance without complicated adjustment of the device. Furthermore, none of the devices can be securely attached to the body and easily removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides other advantages not realized heretofore. The exercise device of the present invention includes an elastic band which means for attaching the band at each end to portions of the user's body, such as the user's ankles.

[0008] Unlike prior art exercise devices, the device of the present invention includes cuffportions which are securely and removably attached to the user's body. The cuff portions have Velcro fastening portions which allow the cuff portions to be tightly wrapped around the user's ankles and securely attached. This secure attachment makes the cuff portions much more comfortable, since the cuff portions fit securely on the user's ankles, the cuff portions are unlikely to move about during exercising, reducing irritation and making the exercise more effective.

[0009] The elastic band which forms the central portion of the exercise device of the present device is part of a central elastic portion which is removably attached to the two cuff portions. Various central elastic portions may be provided, each having a band with a different tension and/or a different length, and a central elastic portion having the desired tension and length may be selected by the user and attached to the cuff portions to provide the proper exercise experience for the desired exercise. If an easier workout is desired, a central elastic portion may be selected with a band having a relatively low tension, so that the band provides a low resistance during the exercise. If a more strenuous workout is desired, a different elastic portion may be selected with a band having a high tension and greater resistance. Similarly, the exercise requires a longer elastic portion be used, an elastic portion with a longer band can be used, or two shorter elastic portions can be connected together. The central elastic portion may be easily attached or unattached to the cuffs by suitable means, such as a carabiner and a ring.

[0010] In order to assist the user in selecting the central elastic portion having the desired band, the bands are preferably color coded. A band of one color, for example, may signify a low resistance, while a band of a different color may signify a band of a different color.

[0011] These and other advantages are provided by the present invention of an exercise device comprising a first central elastic portion having an elastic band of a predetermined first length and predetermined first tension, and a pair of cuffportions, each of the cuff portions being removably attached to one end of the central elastic portion, each of the cuff portions comprising a backing strip having two hook-and-loop portions whereby the cuff portion is securely and removably attached to a portion of a user's body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise device according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the exercise device of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the exercise device of FIG. 2.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exercise device similar to FIG. 1 showing one possible configuration of the exercise device.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the exercise device similar to FIG. 4 showing another possible configuration of the exercise device of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exercise device similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing another possible configuration of the exercise device of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exercise device similar to FIGS. 4-6 showing another possible configuration of the exercise device of the present invention.

[0019]FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrammatical views showing one possible exercise that can be performed using the exercise device of the present invention.

[0020]FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrammatical views similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 showing another possible exercise that can be performed using the exercise device of the present invention.

[0021]FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrammatical views similar to FIGS. 8-10 showing another possible exercise that can be preformed using the exercise device of the present invention.

[0022]FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrammatical views similar to FIGS. 8-12 showing another possible exercise that can be preformed using the exercise device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Referring more particularly to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, there is shown an exercise device 10 according to the present invention. The exercise device 10 comprises a center elastic portion 11 and a pair of cuff portions 12 and 13 attached at each end of the elastic portion. The elastic portion 11 comprises a band 14 of extruded rubber or other elastomeric material with a pair of metal hooks 15 and 16, one hook at each end of the band. The band 14 is of a specified desired length and tension. The hooks 15 and 16 can be attached to the ends of the band 14 by tying the end of the band around a portion of the hook or by any other desired manner. Each of the hooks 15 and 16 is preferably a suitable carabiner of the type which may be used in climbing equipment.

[0024] Each of the cuff portions 12 and 13 is identical and both will be described with reference to the cuff portion 12 which is also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The cuff portion 12 comprises a backing strip 17. The backing strip 17 may be made from, for example, strong, woven nylon material of the type typically used for outdoor harnesses and strapping. A metal ring 18 is attached to one end of the backing strip. The ring 18 may be attached to the backing strip 17 by folding one end of the backing strip through the ring and sewing or gluing or otherwise attaching the end to the strip as shown in FIG. 2. The ring 18 is adapted for attachment to one of the hooks 15 or 16 of the elastic portion 11. A padding strip 19 is attached to one side of the backing strip 17. The padding strip 19, which may be a foam plastic material, is used to cushion the user's ankle during the performance of the exercises. The backing strip 17 also has attached to it two attachment portions 20 and 21 of a hook-and-ring fastening material so that the cuff portion 12 can be attached to one of the user's ankles. Such hook-and-ring fastening materials are commonly available under the trademark Velcro, and other similar fastening materials may be used. The first attachment portion 20 is attached to one side of the backing strip 17 near the end where the ring 18 is attached. The other attachment portion 21 is attached to the other side of the backing strip 17 at the opposite end. The two attachment portions 20 and 21 allow the cuff portion 12 to be formed in a loop as shown in FIG. 1 so that it can be removably and adjustably and securely attached to the user's ankle in order to perform the desired exercises.

[0025] One of the features of the exercise device 10 of the present invention is its ability to be modified by attaching various elastic portions. This is shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 which depict various modified exercise devices 10 a, 10 b, 10 c and 10 d, respectively. FIG. 4 shows an exercise device 10 a similar to the exercise device 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3, with an elastic portion 11 a having a band 14 a of a desired length, thickness and tension. FIG. 5 shows an alternative exercise device 10 b having an elastic portion 11 b with a band 14 b which is shorter and thicker than the band 14 a. Because of the shorter and thicker band 14 b, the exercise device 10 b provides more resistance than the exercise device 10 a in performing exercises. FIG. 6 shows another alternative exercise device 10 c having an elastic portion 11 c with a band 14 c which is longer and thinner than the band 14 a. Because of the longer and thinner band 14 c, the exercise device 10 c provides less resistance than the exercise device 10 a in performing exercises. FIG. 7 shows yet another alternative exercise device 10 d having an elastic portion formed of two of the elastic portions 11 b. The various elastic portions can thus be attached together as desired to provide even more flexibility in configuring the exercise device for performing a desired exercise.

[0026] The exercise device of the present invention may thus be provided with a pair of cuff portions and an assortment of elastic portions of various lengths, thicknesses and elasticities, which may be attached to the cuff portions as desired. Preferably, the different bands of the various elastic portions are color coded to assist the user in choosing the desired portion for a particular exercise. For example, the band 14 a may be white, the band 14 b may be red, and the band 14 c may be blue. Of course, other colors can be used.

[0027] To use the exercise device of the present invention, the user selects an elastic portion have the desired tension and attaches it to the two cuff portions by hooking the two hooks onto the rings of each of the cuff portions. The user then attaches the cuff portions to the user's ankles by wrapping each cuff portion around each ankle and securing the two attachment portions together. The cuff portions are thus securely attached to the user's ankles and are not prone to slipping or otherwise moving during the exercise. The desired exercise may then be performed.

[0028] One such exercise is depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. To perform this exercise, the user kneels on the hands and knees, placing the hands directly under the shoulders as shown in FIG. 8. One leg L is extended back with the toes pointed to the floor. Keeping the body steady, the user slowly brings the extended leg L up level with the hip H, as shown in FIG. 9. The leg L is then lowered back down to the floor. The exercise device 10 maintains proper tension between the ankles as the exercise is being performed.

[0029] Another such exercise is a kickback exercise shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Th the user kneels on the knees and forearms as shown in FIG. 10. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the user preferably clasps the hands together and rests the forehead on the hands, so that the head is lowered toward the floor. With the back straight, the user lifts one foot F upwardly until the thigh T is parallel to the floor and the knee is aligned with the hips. The foot F is lifted upwardly with the bottom of the foot pointed upwardly, as shown in FIG. 11. The foot F is then lowered back down to the floor. Again the exercise device 10 maintains the proper tension between the ankles as the exercise is performed. However, since the legs are moved further apart in the kickback exercise, a different elastic band 14 is needed from the one used in the previous exercise. Using the exercise device of the present invention, the proper elastic portion having the desired band is easily selected by the user and attached to the cuff portions before the exercise is started. When going from one exercise to another exercise, the user may simply keep the cuff portions on the ankles and remove and replace the central elastic portions.

[0030] A third exercise is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In performing this exercise, the user again kneels on the floor on both hands and one knee. The other leg L is raised above the floor. The knee K of the leg L is flexed to preform the exercise. The knee K is straightened as shown in FIG. 13, then the knee is bent as shown in FIG. 14. This movement is preformed repeatedly with the exercise device 10 providing resistance each time the knee K is straightened.

[0031] A fourth exercise is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The user lies on the back with the legs extended in the air as shown in FIG. 14. Both legs L are moved outwardly as shown in FIG. 15 and back inwardly. The exercise device 10 is attached to the ankles and provides resistance to the outward movement of the legs L.

[0032] All of these exercises and others can be preformed using the single exercise device of the present invention without changing any portion of the exercise device other than the elastic band. The availability of different elastic bands allows the same device to be used for a wide variety of different effective exercises.

[0033] Other variations and modifications of the specific embodiments herein shown and described will be apparent to those skilled in the art, all within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. While the invention has been shown and described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, these are for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation. Accordingly, the patent is not to be limited in scope and effect to the specific embodiments herein shown and described nor in any other way that is inconsistent with the extent to which the progress in the art has been advanced by the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise device comprising: a first central elastic portion having an elastic band of a predetermined first length and predetermined first tension; and a pair of cuff portions, each of the cuff portions being removably attached to one end of the central elastic portion, each of the cuff portions comprising a backing strip having two hook-and-loop portions whereby the cuff portion is securely and removably attached to a portion of a user's body.
 2. An exercise device as defined in claim 1, comprising in addition a second central elastic portion which may be removably attached to the cuff portions in place of the first central elastic portion.
 3. An exercise device as defined in claim 2, wherein the second central elastic portion has a predetermined tension which is different from the predetermined tension of the first central elastic portion.
 4. An exercise device as defined in claim 2, wherein the first and second central elastic portions are color coded to permit them to be easily distinguished from each other.
 5. An exercise device as defined in claim 1, comprising in addition a second central elastic portion which is removably attached to one of the cuffportions and to the first central elastic portion.
 6. An exercise device comprising: a first central elastic portion having an elastic band of a predetermined first tension; a second central elastic portion having a second elastic band of a predetermined second tension; and a pair of cuff portions, each of the cuff portions being removably attached to one end of one of the central elastic portions, each of the cuff portions comprising a backing strip adapted to be wrapped around a portion of a user's body, the backing strip having two hook-and-loop portions whereby the cuff portion is securely and removably attached to the portion of the user's body.
 7. An exercise device as defined in claim 6, wherein the first and second central elastic portions are color coded to permit them to be easily distinguished from each other. 